DPJ Likely to Struggle on Policy toward U.S.

Tokyo, Sept. 2 (Jiji Press)--The Democratic Party of Japan is expected to struggle on the foreign policy front as many of its proposals may lead to friction with the United States.

The DPJ scored a landslide victory in Sunday's generation election
under campaign platforms that put forth foreign policy proposals that would
change the status quo.
Under the banner of "a close and equal Japan-U.S. relationship,"
the DPJ proposes reviewing a bilateral agreement to realign U.S. military
forces in Japan.
As part of the agreement, the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma air
station is set to be relocated within Okinawa Prefecture. But the DPJ aims
to move the base outside the southernmost prefecture or even outside Japan.
However, Washington flatly rejected any change in the Futenma
relocation plan. "The United States has no intention to renegotiate,"
Department of State spokesman Ian Kelly said.
A senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official said the proposal for
review should be shelved. The DPJ "does not have to be bound by remarks made
during election campaigns," the official said.
But the DPJ is unlikely to listen. The party aims to change the
policymaking process dependent on bureaucrats.
Another thorny issue is the country's naval refueling mission in
the Indian Ocean in support of U.S.-led antiterror operations in
Afghanistan.
The DPJ plans to let the mission expire on Jan. 15, 2010, without
extending it any further. The party hopes to come up with an alternative to
the mission in order to show Japan's continued commitment to the fight
against terrorism.
But it would be a difficult task, given the severe security
situation in Afghanistan. The naval mission is welcomed by many while it
involves little danger, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said.
On an alleged secret Japan-U.S. nuclear pact, Japanese Vice Foreign
Minister Mitoji Yabunaka said his ministry will cooperate in a proposed
probe into the allegations.
The DPJ alleges that Tokyo and Washington reached a secret
agreement about half a century ago to allow U.S. warships carrying nuclear
weapons to enter Japan's territory.
But the disclosure of any information related to the issue could be
controversial under the bilateral security alliance, under which the United
States provides nuclear deterrent to Japan.
DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama has expressed his wish to secure a
U.S. promise not to bring any nuclear weapons into Japan. But many Japanese
government officials are negative toward such an idea.